Identification of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor in human endothelial cells and its modulation by phorbol myristate acetate

Human endothelial cells express antithrombotic properties by producing prostacyclin, heparan sulfate and plasminogen activator (PA). Using an established cell line, TKM-33, from human umbilical vein endothelial cells, the pericellular urokinase-type PA (u-PA) activity and expression of u-PA receptor (u-PAR) were investigated. The endothelial cells produced and secreted large amounts of u-PA and low levels of tissue-type PA (t-PA) and of PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), which were identified by immunohistochemical study and electrophoretic enzymography. Diisopropylfluoro-phosphate-treated 125I-u-PA bound specifically to acid-treated monolayered endothelial cells with a Kd of 3.46 +/- 1.17 nM, and Bmax of (0.09 +/- 0.04) x 10(6) sites/cell. mRNA of u-PAR was detected by using Northern blot analysis. Thus, these endothelial cells express u-PAR which bounds u-PA specifically. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulation to the endothelial cells altered the Kd value to 3.18 +/- 0.64 nM, and Bmax value to (0.19 +/- 0.10) x 10(6) sites/cell, respectively. PMA treatment of endothelial cells increased u-PAR mRNA. Similarly, H7-treated endothelial cells showed a dose-dependent increase of u-PAR mRNA. However, PMA and H7 did not stimulate the expression of u-PA and t-PA mRNAs significantly. The expression of PAI-1 mRNA was increased by both PMA and H7. These findings suggest that the established endothelial cell line, TKM-33, possesses the character of endothelial cells and expresses u-PAR on their cell surface which is occupied by intrinsic u-PA secreted from the cells. The pericellular u-PA activity and the expression of u-PAR were regulated by protein kinase pathway.

Characteristics of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese populations based on the genetic markers of human immunoglobulins

A description of the population groups in the three adjacent countries Japan, Korea and China has been made on the basis of the genetic markers of human immunoglobulins under consideration fo their characteristics and formation.

Mutagenicity of soy sauce treated with nitrite in the presence of ethanol or alcoholic beverages

The mutagenicity induced by soy sauce after reaction with 50 mM nitrite at pH 3, 37 degrees C, for 60 min in the presence of 1.25-10% ethanol was reduced in proportion to the ethanol concentration. The mutagenicity of soy sauce treated with nitrite was also reduced in the presence of commercial alcoholic beverages, Japanese sake, wine, 'shochu', whiskey and brandy, but not beer, in proportion to the concentration. The mutagenicity of nitrite-treated tyramine, which is a major precursor of a mutagen in soy sauce treated with nitrite, was strongly reduced in the presence of ethanol, n-propanol or isopropanol and more strongly reduced in the presence of methanol, but was increased twofold in the presence of the sugars glucose or sucrose. The reduction of the mutagenicity of nitrite-treated tyramine required simultaneous treatment of tyramine with ethanol and nitrite. The mutagenicity of tyramine treated with nitrite was clearly reduced in the presence of shochu and whiskey, similarly to ethanol. Analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that the reduction of the mutagenicity of nitrite-treated tyramine in the presence of ethanol resulted from the reduced production of mutagenic 3-diazotyramine from tyramine.

Tenidap, an anti-inflammatory agent, discharges intracellular Ca++ store and inhibits Ca++ influx in cultured human gingival fibroblasts

The effect of tenidap, (+/-)-5-chloro-2,3-dihydro-3-(hydroxy-2- thienylmethylene)-2-oxo-1H-indole-1-carboxamide, a new anti-inflammatory agent, was investigated on intracellular free Ca++ concentration ([Ca++]i) responses evoked by bradykinin and thapsigargin in gingival fibroblasts. Tenidap itself stimulated [Ca++]i response in a dose-dependent manner in the absence of extracellular Ca++. The pretreatment with tenidap inhibited [Ca++]i responses evoked by 5 nM bradykinin and 1 microM thapsigargin in a dose-dependent manner. This indicates that tenidap discharges intracellular Ca++ store, resulting in a depletion of intracellular Ca++ store. Tenidap partially depressed Ca++ influx across plasma membrane by 1 to 2 min pretreatment and almost completely by more than 5 min pretreatment. Thus, tenidap appears to be a valuable agent that functions on inhibition of Ca++ influx in nonexcitable cells, which is rare at the present time.

Experimental methods for immunization and challenge in antigenicity studies in guinea pigs

Optimal experimental methods for antigenicity studies in guinea pigs were investigated on: (1) the effects of different immunizing methods using complete or incomplete Freund's adjuvants (CFA or IFA), and various injection sites, the number of immunizations, the immunizing doses, and the immunizing periods, (2) the relationship between the severity of active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) reactions and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) titers, (3) positive control for oral administration, and (4) the effects of incubation mixture of drug and serum protein as the challenge for the ASA assay. The following results provided useful information for designing more appropriate methods for antigenicity studies: (1) The optimal immunization method for benzylpenicillin (PcG), cephaloridine, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid and adriamycin, which were selected as positive controls for low molecular medicines in this experiment, involved subcutaneous administration of 1 ml of a test substance in CFA (1st immunization) or IFA (2nd and 3rd immunizations) at two doses, 1 and 10 mg/animal, 3 times at 2-week intervals on the back of a guinea pig. Blood collection for PCA assay was needed 2 weeks after the last immunization, and ASA assay, 1 or 2 days after the blood collection. (2) The insensitivity of ASA reactions in bovine serum albumin-immunized animals with very high PCA titers was overcome by increasing the challenge antigen dose from 1 to 10 mg/animal. (3) Most animals administered lysozyme at 0.1, 1 or 10 mg/animal by gavage for 2 weeks or more showed ASA and PCA reactions. (4) Incubation of a mixture of 20 mg/ml of PcG and 2 mg/ml of guinea pig serum albumin for 4 hr was the most effective as challenge for the induction of ASA reaction in PcG-immunized guinea pigs.

Lysine-49-phospholipases A2 from Trimeresurus flavoviridis venom are membrane-acting enzymes

Basic proteins I and II (BP-I and BP-II) isolated from the venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis (Habu snake) are isozymes of highly active Asp-49 phospholipase A2 (Asp-49-PLA2) and classified into the group Lys-49-PLA2. BP-II was found to elicit a strong contraction of guinea pig ileum, and this activity was inhibited completely by 1 microM indomethacin, an inhibitor of the arachidonate cascade. BP-II was inactive in the Ca(2+)-free medium, and p-bromphenacylated His-48-BP-II was also inactive. BP-II exhibited no binding affinity for the cells expressing PLA2 receptors. These results indicated that the contraction elicited by BP-II is due to the hydrolytic action of BP-II, liberating arachidonic acid from the ileum phospholipid biomembranes. In spite of its limited lipolytic activities (av. 0.9% of Asp-49-PLA2) against monomers and micelles of synthetic phospholipids, BP-II hydrolyzed considerably strongly the phospholipids in the artificial bilayer vesicles. Arachidonic acid released from liposomes of beta-arachidonoyl-gamma-stearoyl-L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine was determined by HPLC, and the activity of BP-II was estimated to be about 75% as compared to Asp-49-PLA2. Liposomes encapsulating carboxyfluorescein exhibited a strong dye-leakage induced by BP-II in a concentration-dependent manner, only in the Ca(2+)-containing buffer. The net result from all these observations was that BP-II, a Lys-49-PLA2, is an enzyme that hydrolyzes the membrane phospholipids. In contrast to BP-II, BP-I was found to be considerably weak in hydrolyzing membrane phospholipids, although its activities were distinct. BP-I and BP-II share a common sequence with the sole exception of Asp-67 (BP-I) and Asn-67 (BP-II) in the aligned sequences. This implies that the amino acid at position 67 of Lys-49-PLA2s is the residue required for discriminatory recognition of beta-arachidonoyl-phospholipid membranes.

[Successful treatment of carcinoid syndrome in two cases of bronchial carcinoid]

We encountered two patients with typical bronchial carcinoid and metastases to the liver who presented with typical carcinoid syndrome. In typical bronchial carcinoid without metastases to regional lymph nodes, recurrence and distant metastasis after curative resection are generally thought to be rare. The first patient was a 62-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital because of facial flushing and diarrhea. She had undergone curative resection of a typical bronchial carcinoid 9 years earlier, and the postsurgical pathological stage was I. On the second admission, she was found to have multiple liver metastases. The second patient was a 59-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital because of facial flushing, dyspnea, and dehydration due to diarrhea. She had undergone curative resection of a typical bronchial carcinoid 21 months earlier, and the postsurgical pathological stage was I. On the second admission, she was found to have multiple intrabronchial, bone, and liver metastases. Both patients were treated with subcutaneous injections of octreotide, and with transhepatic arterial chemoembolization. In addition, the second patient underwent percutaneous ethanol injection under ultrasonic guidance. Signs and symptoms disappeared soon after therapy began and the patients survived longer than expected. Hepatic artery chemoembolization and simultaneous chemotherapy can relieve symptoms in patients with carcinoid syndrome and multiple liver metastases, and self-administration of octreotide is the treatment of choice for immediate relief.

Pathogenicity of bacteria using a simulated root canal system

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of an implantation test using Teflon-simulated root canals for evaluating the pathogenicity of root canal bacteria. Models including suspensions of lyophilized strains (Actinomyces israelii, Streptococcus faecalis, and Porphyromonas asaccharolyticus) were implanted in rat subcutaneous tissue for 1 wk, and histological changes were observed. Severe inflammation occurred around the models. Among them, P. asaccharolyticus induced the severest inflammatory response. Further study using P. asaccharolyticus was conducted to compare the implantation test's ability to evaluate pathogenicity with that of an injection test at 1, 2, or 4 wk. Tissue injected with a bacterial suspension showed no clear response through the experimental periods, whereas tissue around implantation sites showed a severe response at 1 wk. However, the inflammatory response subsided at later stages. Consequently, further improvement is needed to investigate pathogenicity for long periods.

Preservation of central motor conduction in patients with spinal muscular atrophy type II

We evaluated the central (motor cortex to C8 motoneuron) and peripheral (C8 motoneuron to the muscle) motor conduction in 14 limbs of 7 patients with the intermediate form of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA II). The central motor conduction time (CMCT) was calculated using motor evoked potentials (MEPs) by transcranial magnetic stimulation and the results of a conventional F wave study. Peripheral conduction abnormality was found in 6 median nerves (43%) and 10 ulnar nerves (71%). Even in these patients with peripheral conduction abnormalities, the CMCT was consistently normal whenever the MEP was recorded. These results indicate that the motor conduction of the corticospinal fibers remains normal in SMA II.

[Ultrasonically guided needle biopsy of small mediastinal and peripheral pulmonary nodules]

From 1983 to 1993, we performed ultrasonically guided percutaneous needle biopsies on 320 thoracic tumors. Of these, 77 tumors were smaller than 3 cm in diameter and were peripherally located adjacent to the chest wall (n = 71) or in the posterior mediastinum (n = 6). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of UGNB for diagnosing these small lesions. The mean tumor size was 2.0 +/- 0.7 cm. Nine nodules were less than 1.0 cm in diameter, 38 were between 1.1 and 2.0 cm, and 30 were between 2.1 and 3.0 cm. Biopsies were done with a 17-gauge Trucut needle; a 21-gauge needle was used to aspirate specimens for cytological study. A definitive diagnosis was made in 31 (77%) of 40 malignant lesions and in 19 (51%) of 37 benign lesions. Complications included pneumothorax (n = 5) and hemoptysis (n = 3), but no special medications were needed. Thus, real-time sonographic guidance is a safe, easy, and reliable biopsy method for small pulmonary and mediastinal nodules adjacent to the chest wall.

Inhibition of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced oxidative DNA damage by green tea extract in rat

Following subcutaneous injection of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH), which is carcinogenic to rat colon and liver, to Sprague-Dawley rats, a significant increase of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was observed in the DNA of colonic mucosa and liver. The 8-OHdG formation reached the maximal level at about 24 h after the DMII injection. On the other hand, no increase of 8-OHdG was observed in the DNA of the kidney. Drinking green tea extract (GTE) for ten days prior to the DMH injection significantly inhibited the formation of 8-OHdG in the colon. These findings demonstrate that DMH causes oxidative damage to the DNA of its target organ, and that GTE protects colonic mucosa from this oxidative damage.

[A case of primary pulmonary hemangiopericytoma recurred locally 10 years after the first surgery]

Hemangiopericytoma is a rare tumor of vascular origin. This tumor has a malignant potential and often recurs or metastasize. A case of primary pulmonary hemangiopericytoma which recurred locally 10 years after the first surgery is presented. The histological appearance of the tumor had some findings of malignant potential in both of the primary and recurrent lesions. We discussed on malignant potential of this tumor in the number of mitotic figures, cellular atipia, and DNA ploidy pattern.

Testicular spermatid and epididymal sperm head counts as an indicator for reproductive toxicity in rats

The testes of rats were exposed to a single soft x-ray irradiation at levels of 10, 25 and 63 Gy. Testicular and cauda epididymal weights and their sperm counts were decreased at 7 weeks after the irradiation. Histologically, there was an evidence of interrupted spermatogenesis dose-dependently. Animal mating trails, in which irradiated males were mated with untreated females revealed a slight increase in early stage of postimplantation loss at as low as 10 Gy. There were increases in preimplantation and early stage of postimplantation losses in the group of irradiated at 25 Gy. Infertility occurred in irradiated males at 63 Gy. The effects of irradiation were more severe on the sperm count parameters than on reproductive organ weights, histological examination and reproductive status. The testicular spermatid and epididymal sperm head counts are considered to be useful indicators to detect quantitatively the adverse effects on spermatogenesis.

Construction of a combined NotI/SmaI physical and genetic map of Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis strain ATCC25238

Using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and Southern hybridization techniques, a physical map of Moraxella catarrhalis strain ATCC25238 was constructed to provide basic genetic knowledge of this bacterium that has attracted attention in recent years as a human pathogen. Restriction endonuclease NotI cut the genome into 10 fragments and SmaI into 9, and the molecular size of the genome was estimated to be 1,940 kilobases. Location of the 12 genes participating in the biosynthesis of purine, pyrimidine and nine kinds of amino acids were determined on the circular physical map of the strain.

Pancreatic amylin content in human diabetic subjects and its relation to diabetes

To evaluate the pancreatic amylin in the pathogenesis of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), we determined the pancreatic amylin (IRA) and insulin (IRI) contents of pancreata obtained at autopsy from diabetics and nondiabetics. IRA was extracted from the tail of the pancreas using formic acid and assayed with a human amylin kit. Following gel filtration of amylin on a Sephadex G-50 column, it was eluted in a similar fraction to insulin. The pancreatic IRA content was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in NIDDM subjects compared with nondiabetics, with the mean values being 4.25 +/- 1.62 and 0.085 +/- 0.022 microgram/g, respectively. The IRA content of two IDDM pancreata was low. No significant relationship was found between the IRA and the IRI contents or between the IRA content and the duration of diabetes. However, there was a tendency for the IRA content to increase in longstanding diabetes. Men had a significantly higher pancreatic IRA content than women. The four subjects with very high IRA levels ( > 10 micrograms/g) were all elderly men with a long duration of diabetes. Thus, although the pancreatic amylin content was increased in NIDDM, no significant relationship to the clinical features of the disease was found.

A correlation study between serum adenosine deaminase activities and peripheral lymphocyte subsets in Parkinson's disease

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) and its isozyme activities in serum were measured together with peripheral lymphocyte subsets in 42 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. The total and ADA 2 activities were significantly higher than normal controls (p < 0.01). As regards the peripheral lymphocyte subsets, the proportion of OKT 10+ cells (activated T lymphocytes) and the proportions of interleukin-2 receptor+ and HLA-DR+ cells (mainly activated T lymphocytes) were significantly higher than normal controls (p < 0.05, 0.01, 0.01, respectively). On the other hand, OKT 10+ cells demonstrated a significant correlation not only with total ADA but also with ADA 2 activity. These results suggest that high serum ADA activity may be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease through peripheral T lymphocyte activation.

Autopsy cases among patients with mental disorders: an unusual case of asphyxia caused by the iron roller of a garbage truck

A case of asphyxia of a young man suffering from "Identity Disorder" as delineated by the DSM-III-R (American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders revised in 1987) is reported. The patient jumped into the drum of a garbage truck and the iron roller in the drum asphyxiated him by compression. In addition to the presentation of this rare category of the DSM-III-R disorders as an autopsy case and an unusual means of asphyxia, we briefly reviewed other autopsy cases of the patients with mental disorders who died in Japan between 1988 and 1992.

[Treatment of delirium tremens with quick administration of diazepam]

In this efficacy the study of diazepam loading-dose treatment of delirium tremens was evaluated in comparison with traditional therapeutic methods. Experimental and control groups consisted of 42 and 40 patients respectively. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms was evaluated from clinical status, in the experimental group CIWA-A score was also employed. Study results suggest high efficacy of the loading-dose method, which was characterized by significant shortening of psychosis duration (five times shorter in experimental vs. control group). The method turned out to be safe, no complications were observed during and after the treatment.

Genome structure, mapping and expression of the tropomyosin gene tmy-1 of Caenorhabditis elegans

The complete tropomyosin gene, designated tmy-1, of Caenorhabditis elegans was recovered by genome walking from a fragment that was obtained by exon-expression cloning using specific cloning using specific anti-tropomyosin antiserum as a probe. The genome structure of the tmy-1 gene has been determined by combining the DNA sequences of cDNA clones with those of the genomic fragments. The single-copy gene spans approximately 13 kb and include 14 exons. Comparison of cDNA and genomic sequences demonstrates that three isoforms are encoded by the gene tmy-1. Homology of the 27 C-terminal amino acid residues to those of Drosophila and vertebrates suggest that these may be the body wall, pharyngeal and non-muscle types. Tissue-specific expression of the tmy-1 gene was determined by microinjection of a promoter/lacZ fusion gene and with immunohistochemistry by using affinity-purified tissue-specific anti-tropomyosins. The 5' end promoter common to CeTMI and CeTMII is expressed in the body wall muscles, vulva, anus muscles and male tail muscles. Control sequences of the 5' end promoter are located 660 to 800 bp upstream of the initial methionine codon. The third isoform, CeTMIII, encoding 256 amino acids residues was expressed in the pharyngeal muscles by the promoter in the third intron. The mRNA of CeTMIII was trans-spliced with SL1 and SL2. These results allow is to solve the question of what is common from this worm to vertebrates, and also what are the cross-species complexities and the tissue-specific differences of tropomyosins. The tmy-1 gene is located on the C. elegans genomic YAC grid near the right end of chromosome I, in the region on the lev-11 gene.

[Pharmacokinetics of 123I-iomazenil, a benzodiazepine receptor seeker]

The biodistribution, metabolism and excretion of 123I-iomazenil have been studied in rats, rabbits and humans following i.v. administration. In all the species, 123I-iomazenil was rapidly metabolized and more than 90% of the administrated radioactivity was excreted within the first 24 hr. Dominant metabolites were acid metabolite (R-COOH), glucuronide of the acid (R-COOH-Glc) and free iodide (I-) in rats and humans. On the other hand, R-COOH, oxidative metabolite (R'-CH2COOH) and I- were found in rabbits. Thus, the possible metabolic pathways of iomazenil were hydrolysis, oxidation, conjugation and deiodination. The radioactivity was excreted into both urine and feces in rats, while primary route of excretion in rabbits and humans was from the kidneys. At 3 hr after injection, more than 97% of the radioactivity in rat brain was found in the form of the parent compound. This result indicates that metabolites of 123I-iomazenil do not cross the blood-brain barrier.

Accumulation of mutant p53 and hsp72 by heat treatment, and their association in a human glioblastoma cell line

The cellular content of mutant p53 and hsp72 proteins following gamma-ray irradiation, UV irradiation, and heat treatment was studied in A-7 cells, a human glioblastoma cell line. A-7 was found to contain a mutant p53 gene in which the arginine codon at position 175 was substituted by a histidine codon. Although the p53 gene was mutant, the phenotype of the p53 protein appeared wild-type since the cellular content of the p53 protein was limited under normal culturing conditions. The quantity of mutant p53 and hsp72 proteins in A-7 was increased by heat treatment as well as gamma-ray and UV irradiation. Furthermore, the mutant p53 protein was coimmunoprecipitated with anti-hsp72/hsc73 antibody. Additionally, hsp72 and hsc73 were coimmunoprecipitated with anti-p53 antibody. These results suggest that in A-7, p53 protein accumulation may be caused as a result of response to stressors, such as gamma-ray, UV and heat and that mutant p53 protein and hsp72/hsc73 may manage biological functions cooperatively after gamma-ray, UV and also heat treatments.